Fascists humiliated in Brighton
anti-fascist | 30.08.2010 17:57 | Smash EDO | Anti-racism | Palestine | South Coast
FASCISTS are not welcome on the streets of Brighton! That was the clear message from today’s response to the march by the English Nationalist Alliance, which is much the same thing as the EDL.
The ENA were quite frankly humiliated. The pathetic turnout from the extreme right group – no more than around 30 – was in stark contrast to the hundreds who came to stop them.
Only heavy-handed policing, involving the use of horses, riot gear and random arrests, enabled the fascists to reach Victoria Gardens, near Brighton Pavilion, for their tiny rally.
The ‘official’ counter-protesters from Unite Against Fascism tried to perform their usual role of dragging people away from the place where they were most needed.
When Brighton rail station was surrounded by anti-fascist protesters at the assembly time of 12.30pm it looked as if the ENA were going nowhere.
But, lo and behold, the call came form the obligatory organisers’ Pied Piper megaphone that ‘everyone’ was going to march down the road to a state-authorised protest zone, allowing the fascists the freedom of the streets they had so far looked like being denied.
When some queried this bizarre instruction and hesitated to troop off in the wrong direction, Sussex Police were forced to reveal the iron fist behind the velvet glove of distraction and invoked public order legislation to threaten people with arrest if they did not participate in the ‘official’ anti-fascist protest.
Several people were forcefully made to join the UAF march against their will and one man was pepper sprayed and arrested for trying to leave it.
Fortunately, there were enough independent minded anti-fascists present to continue the blockade of the intended ENA route.
After a lengthy stand-off, the police decided to re-route the ENA march under the station forecourt and down Trafalgar Street.
Police attempts to clear the road were met with steadfast resistance and they had to divert the fascist march down side streets to avoid blockades.
Anti-fascists kept up throughout and blocked every intersection ahead of the provocative parade, forcing police to use horses and threats of arrest to clear the way for the paltry crew of racists, who were happy to flaunt their bigoted bravado safe behind the protective ranks of cops.
The ENA, who carried EDL banners and an Israeli national flag, were booed and heckled throughout their slow progress through the streets of Brighton – not just by counter-protesters but by city residents disgusted by their unwelcome intrusion.
When the fascists arrived at Victoria Gardens they were shepherded into a cordoned-off area – similar to the one in which it turned out the poor UAF sheep had been waiting all this time.
An angry bunch of anti-fascist youth made spirited attempts to break out of their pen – but unfortunately failed. Next time, lads, don’t do what the SWP tells you!
There was more waiting for the ENA as the police nipped back to their vans and donned riot helmets for the job of escorting them back to the station.
They faced more jeers and general hostility as they trailed back through town. The following crowd of anti-fascists, chanting “Fascist scum, off our streets!” were cheered by bystanders.
There was an incident outside the William the Fourth pub in Bond Street, when racists emerged to threaten the anti-ENA protesters. They were quickly surrounded and then bundled inside the pub by police for their own safety.
Cops with riot helmets and police horses were deployed to protect the poor fascists from the anger of the public – they were eventually spirited away out of a back entrance.
The rest of the ENA were escorted back to the station by their uniformed bodyguards and put on trains back to wherever it was they had crawled out of.
The fascists went out of their way to provoke a reaction to this march – explicitly declaring their hatred for radicals of all sorts and specifically pro-Palestinian campaigners like Smash EDO!
And a reaction was what they got! You can bet that Brighton will not be top of their list of favourite destinations next time they fancy a Bank Holiday trip to the seaside.
Only heavy-handed policing, involving the use of horses, riot gear and random arrests, enabled the fascists to reach Victoria Gardens, near Brighton Pavilion, for their tiny rally.
The ‘official’ counter-protesters from Unite Against Fascism tried to perform their usual role of dragging people away from the place where they were most needed.
When Brighton rail station was surrounded by anti-fascist protesters at the assembly time of 12.30pm it looked as if the ENA were going nowhere.
But, lo and behold, the call came form the obligatory organisers’ Pied Piper megaphone that ‘everyone’ was going to march down the road to a state-authorised protest zone, allowing the fascists the freedom of the streets they had so far looked like being denied.
When some queried this bizarre instruction and hesitated to troop off in the wrong direction, Sussex Police were forced to reveal the iron fist behind the velvet glove of distraction and invoked public order legislation to threaten people with arrest if they did not participate in the ‘official’ anti-fascist protest.
Several people were forcefully made to join the UAF march against their will and one man was pepper sprayed and arrested for trying to leave it.
Fortunately, there were enough independent minded anti-fascists present to continue the blockade of the intended ENA route.
After a lengthy stand-off, the police decided to re-route the ENA march under the station forecourt and down Trafalgar Street.
Police attempts to clear the road were met with steadfast resistance and they had to divert the fascist march down side streets to avoid blockades.
Anti-fascists kept up throughout and blocked every intersection ahead of the provocative parade, forcing police to use horses and threats of arrest to clear the way for the paltry crew of racists, who were happy to flaunt their bigoted bravado safe behind the protective ranks of cops.
The ENA, who carried EDL banners and an Israeli national flag, were booed and heckled throughout their slow progress through the streets of Brighton – not just by counter-protesters but by city residents disgusted by their unwelcome intrusion.
When the fascists arrived at Victoria Gardens they were shepherded into a cordoned-off area – similar to the one in which it turned out the poor UAF sheep had been waiting all this time.
An angry bunch of anti-fascist youth made spirited attempts to break out of their pen – but unfortunately failed. Next time, lads, don’t do what the SWP tells you!
There was more waiting for the ENA as the police nipped back to their vans and donned riot helmets for the job of escorting them back to the station.
They faced more jeers and general hostility as they trailed back through town. The following crowd of anti-fascists, chanting “Fascist scum, off our streets!” were cheered by bystanders.
There was an incident outside the William the Fourth pub in Bond Street, when racists emerged to threaten the anti-ENA protesters. They were quickly surrounded and then bundled inside the pub by police for their own safety.
Cops with riot helmets and police horses were deployed to protect the poor fascists from the anger of the public – they were eventually spirited away out of a back entrance.
The rest of the ENA were escorted back to the station by their uniformed bodyguards and put on trains back to wherever it was they had crawled out of.
The fascists went out of their way to provoke a reaction to this march – explicitly declaring their hatred for radicals of all sorts and specifically pro-Palestinian campaigners like Smash EDO!
And a reaction was what they got! You can bet that Brighton will not be top of their list of favourite destinations next time they fancy a Bank Holiday trip to the seaside.
anti-fascist
Comments
Hide the following 40 comments
on the march
30.08.2010 18:14
In all fairness, during speeches there was a recognition by the main UAF steward that maybe they had done the wrong thing by not going the direct action route. I for one, have learned to keep well away from anything even vaguely resembling an official march.
anonymous
uaf are wankers, well done to militant anti-fash
30.08.2010 18:37
AFA
Well Done
30.08.2010 18:51
635
Come up with something better of your own
30.08.2010 18:55
Bright 'n Early
pub tantrum
30.08.2010 18:55
"brightonargus:
We were contacted earlier by the landlord of the Great Eastern pub in Trafalgar Street who said that EDL marchers entered the pub and threw furniture around."
Unable to wander around Bradford without cops ensuring their safety, they take out their anger on furniture (maybe it was foreign, Ikea perhaps?) by having a tantrum in a Brighton pub. Pretty embarrassing.
@
...
30.08.2010 19:16
AFA
the problem
30.08.2010 20:04
if they want to do their own thing fine, just keep out of my way and dont start telling people what to do or that you only took command "because someone had to"-to this the answer is a firm no. someone only needs to be in charge to conduct negotiations and if negotiations arent necessary you begin to create a division- those who follow police orders (good protesters) and thos that dont (bad protesters). therefore if you are a swp or uaf actvist or member, please question yourself deeply as to whether or not these groups truly represent you.
(a)narchista
Why lie?
30.08.2010 22:22
Brighton is a stronghold and we managed to get a 100 lads on the street max. On top of that the UAF neutered any action and the ENA managed to complete their march.
Look, don't fucking lie and claim victory when it wasn't. It doesn't do the cause any good at all.
Today wasn't a victory. 13 Antifascists arrested, 2 coppers injured and the ENA protesting peacefully.
It was an embarassment to be honest.
Activist
UAF are shit, face it
30.08.2010 22:31
SWP/UAF are not REAL revolutionaries, they are lecture hall resistors, always reminding themselves they have bills to pay and laws to follow...They are 'slumming it', while we really put our all and everything in to it. My comrade brothers and sisters were in Bradford and Brighton to fight fash this past week and they make me proud, proud to be part of the 'autonomous' movement.
Anyhoo, SWP/UAF are shit, face it...
A little list off the top of my head:
- @ leeds against EDL they 'handed' over anarcho-federation activist to pigs, causing him to be arrested (not sure of full facts, if any comrades could elaborate...)
- @ nottingham, they literally left small bands of anti-fa to do all the work and if it wasn't for the proletarian youth who joined in, EDL could have done more damage than the literally one or two bruises they caused my brother comrades. They got ran out of town that day, too, but SWP/UAF 'protest' miles away and round the corner or even opposite the Fash and doing nothing consistently ALL DAY.
- Bradford and Brighton - the issues listed above
so thats three or four off the top of my head and im certain more and more of us could pepper these comments pages with facts about the fight to crush the EDL, which we will do, and the way in which that fight has been 'hijacked' by SWP/UAF.
Personally, SWP/UAF offend me, massively, as they led thousands of my comrade brothers and sisters to brutal police oppression (to be protected by blac bloc/tuite blance/other socialist-revolutionaries) in various 'summit smashing' protests including most famously, their 'globalise resistance' bullshit, which helped to smother the real 'movement' and contributed to a dampening down of 'our' tactics after the enemy killed Carlos Guiliani in 2001. I charge groups like SWP/UAF/GR with the truly unforgivable act of 'counter-revolution' and they are wasting the 'workers' attention with their money-wasting - and quite frankly boring and repetitive - banners and papers and 'static demos'.
There is no doubt that we 'workers' do need to 'harness' our own anti-fa strength and perhaps coordinate even grander anti-fa turn outs (not withstanding that Brighton is practically and philosophically, the home of UK anarchism at the mo, and will always turn out numbers, IMO...) and sustain and even build a larger contingent and 'lose knit' affinity circles, etc, the usual stuff...but i guess im going off on a tangent....
bollocks to the uaf/swp. nuff sed.
Francesca
lads????
30.08.2010 22:38
anon
After the station....
30.08.2010 22:44
On New England Street there was a fun moment when one of the mounted police lost his rag at ENA and charged at them shouting "go home - you've had your moment".
The last I saw of them was as they headed up Viaduct Road after their pint, still with a police escort. I decided to call it a day at that point so dunno if anything more happened, but it had the feeling of fizzling out.
I'll upload some videos......
Mark
Same old shit
30.08.2010 23:00
Antifascist
photos of the day - well done to all!
30.08.2010 23:12
Jonathan Warren has photo's up.
Well done to all the people who resisted the fash scum!
Solidarity from Edinburgh!
Fabbri
ENA cowards
30.08.2010 23:17
What about New England Rise? You were all bunched up, and there was a few coppers when we ran towards you, why didn't you charge into us? There weren't many more of us than there was of you.
We chased you, and you did absolutely fuck all to even attempt a confrontation. Many flashpoints arose, but you never stood up for yourselves, ran behind the coppers like per usual.
Ross Crispin
to a "activist" troll wanker
30.08.2010 23:26
2 coppers injured? Well, would be great if it would be true, only injuries were there perhaps from pigs twisting their fingers while batoningand pushing people.
To ENAnists- guys, calm down. We mobilised 100 autonomous anti-fascists in about 1.5 week time, you had about 4 months since end of April when your pathetic little action was announced (well, at the time we simply didn't believe you actually will embarass yourself enough to do it so we dismissed it as rumour- looks like we far underestimated your stupidity) and all you managed to come up with was 30 morons- seriously, who are you fucking kidding? Get a life losers, streets belong to us and you managed to march at all only because of massive police resources involved in clearing the way for you and protecting your sorry arses, which otherwise would have been handed to you on a plate, just like they did 2 days earlier on a "big one" in Bradford.
"Well done" to UAF for marching away as well, so fucking typical of you lot.
anarchist
ENA =
30.08.2010 23:40
Seagull
ena= losers
30.08.2010 23:43
marching through the city on pre-arranged route- FAILED
getting 200 people that the march was registered for- FAILED
Showing "extremist students" where is their place- FAILED
embarassing yourselves totally- TICK
giving it big one from behind police line- TICK (very nice line up of your bodyguards
being heckled, spat on and totally humiliated by both protesters and passer-bys TICK
Hey, who is the fucking loser here?
BTW- anybody recognizes those mugs on photos, please publish their names here.
AFA
three different sides?
31.08.2010 00:04
jakkarinio
A Success for the Left
31.08.2010 00:27
Yes the UAF are idiots, hopefully this demo will help them see that. We still stopped the fash without having to stoop to their level.
And a few points on the twats:
1
They're clearly linked to the EDL. Their chants and banners proved that.
2
Their pathetic attempt to join themselves to Brighton Albion football club should be dismissed as the opportunistic failure it is. The Albion does not support fascism.
3
A turnout of forty? Oh dearie me.... Laughable really.
PS
The cops' use of horses on Trafalgar Street was shocking, I'm really surprised no-one got crushed or kicked.
Danny
uaf
31.08.2010 00:39
AFA
@ jakkarinio
31.08.2010 00:53
I'm sure there are well-meaning individuals in the UAF. but the organisation is part of the problem. at the March for England in March, the most reactionary slogans came not from the MfE but the UAF, including such naked class hatred as "the reason nobody likes you, the reason you don't have any friends, the reason you can't get a job, is because you're social failures" - from supposed socialists no less. Serious anti-fascists should have nothing to do with these jokers, their interest is party-building not stopping the fash on the streets.
Now for all that, the ENA/EDL were embarassed today. They came to town, hid behind cops all day whilst massively outnumbered, and were harrassed, obstructed and heckled at every turn by independent-minded anti-fascists and a good number of passers-by. But this was DESPITE the UAF's efforts to negotiate an ineffectual kettle. Much like Bradford, they'll probably now champion the 'spontaneous' resistance that harried the march, ignoring the fact it took organisation against not just the fash and the cops but the efforts of the UAF to disperse people to a kettle the police had so generously permitted them.
an antifa
Nazi Salutes in Bradford
31.08.2010 07:50
Bright 'n Early
Bill Baker, Essex BNP
31.08.2010 07:53
Some on-line postings refer to Bill Baker living in Essex, and the BNP membership list has this entry -
Mr William Baker
15 Hardie Road
Stanford-le-Hope
Essex SS17 0PB
01375 676266
Bright 'n Early
Objective victory
31.08.2010 08:19
Don't misunderstand me here, I don't give a fuck about the welfare of BNP activists, but militant anti-Fascism contributed almost nothing to the BNP's recent humiliation, and the biggest issue with militant anti-Fascists during the last 18 months was trying to discourage Antifa etc from steaming in and injuring a BNP activist so handing the BNP tons of sympathetic publicity. I agree it's a waste of time working with UAF, which is why I don't work with them, but equally I don't waste time whining about them either - absolutely no-one has a perfect strategy and anyone who claims they do is lying. UAF pull out the numbers where militants objectively don't. UAF took tens of thousands of anti-BNP leaflets door-to-door in Barking, did the militants?
Either way, ENA/EDL numbers were well down on their previous Brighton outing so by any standards this was an objective and quantifiable victory, so (whatever the problems) congratulations!
The Clocktower
ENA - Minutes to their founding meeting
31.08.2010 08:55
"Andrew Gatward: Hitler worshipper, collector of weapons and seller of nazi memorabilia"
more here:
ENA Formal Committee Meeting
English Nationalist Alliance – Founding Committee Meeting.
Place: The Barrow Boy and Banker, Borough Hill Street, (A3) London
Date: Saturday 21st August 2010
Time: Started shortly after 12 noon.
In attendance; Bill Baker, taking the chairperson position as the Founder of the ENA
others: Lyn Corrigan, Roberta Moore, David Chandler, Roger Firth, Dorothy Firth, Steven Smith, George Woodward and myself, Lea Tomlinson.
Others in attendance: Darren Clarke from the English Shield Wall.
Observers: Ben Wealde & Rachel Wealde.
Due the establishment not opening until 12 noon and the Pub management at the time not being aware of where the allocated place, the meeting did not start as was previously planned at the discussed time.
The bar was crowded once we were sorted to where we were going to be seated, sadly not enough bar staff to cater for us and the few Londoners.
Once started and all introductions out of the way, we settled down to discussion the Formal Formation of the English Nationalist Alliance.
The initial reason for having the meeting of the proposed committee was the formal formation of the English Nationalist Alliance.
Discussions were driven to whether to become a political standing party or to become a support for any independent Councillors, MPs or MEP's.
Against the idea of becoming a political party, was the members of the English Democrats amongst the team. Their feelings, that there were enough parties out there already and could the ENA be ready to stand against the three main parties, Labour, Liberal Democrats or Conservative, who already have strong members.
I feel that more discussion is required in this subject as we do have people who would stand for election under the banner of an English Nationalist Alliance Candidate.
The subject of a figure head was brought up, i.e., a 'Margaret Thatcher' type person, someone that the electorate would support in an election. And one such name was brought into the issue, Barbara Dunne, a former Councillor in the North East.
Other issues, such as fund-raising were brought up, and one such place was talked about, and that is a castle in Eastbourne that holds annual jousting and old English enactments.
I personally do not know of a castle in Eastbourne itself, but do know of Pevensey Castle that does just that, as I have been to a few myself. Pevensey is situated between Bexhill on Sea and Eastbourne.
It is suggested that we camp or hotel nearby, although the grounds at Pevensey Castle are vast and would be suitable for an ENA event.
Another subject that arose was for the ENA to have within its section the English Nationalist Alliance Charity, which would give help to schools of firm English standing and the like. But this is going to require further investigation and consideration of whether it is feasible.
Location of events will be forthcoming as when they have been discussed by the Fund-raising team.
Darren Clarke from English Shield Wall attended the meeting, and approves of the ENA establishment, and will help where needed.
Agreed Committee are:
1. Bill Baker, Founder ENA, Chairperson, Regional Coordinator & Events
2. Lyn Corrigan, Administration/Membership, Finance and Fund-raising Committee.
3. Roberta Moore, Co Chairperson, Political Liaison.
4. David Chandler, Legal Establishment, Political Liaison, East Anglia Region Organiser.
5. Roger Firth: Co Chairperson, South East Region Organiser.
6. Dorothy Firth: Administration/Membership, Finance and Fund-raising Committee.
7. Lea Tomlinson: Press Liaison, Website Administration.
8. Steven Smith: Regional Coordinator and Events, Military and Police Liaison.
9. George Woodward: Administration, Finance and Fund-raising Committee, Military and Police Liaison.
10. Sally Ann: Finance and Fund-raising Committee.
11. Andrew Gatward: Political Liaison.
12. Matt Walford: Press Liaison, Website Administration.
anarchist antifa
The UAF
31.08.2010 09:04
Antifascist
Roberta Moore
31.08.2010 09:17
Spotter
Video of the march
31.08.2010 12:12
Mark
Bottom of steps by Jurys Inn
31.08.2010 14:40
All mouth I think!
Kev Holden
wrong end of the telescope
31.08.2010 19:51
binoculars
EDL/ENA links to Stormfront
31.08.2010 21:25
On this website visitors also discuss things like "Adolf Hitler speaks", "why are they so afraid of Hitler?" and "The Reason Jews Win and We Lose". Even though they wave Israeli flags, the EDL/ENA are simply fascist thugs with Nazi tendencies.
anon
Anyone who opposes extremist Islam isn't Fascist
01.09.2010 13:49
A. Even if they are in the wrong place (and I'm not saying that's good) - so that the entire world can be informed that Anti-Fascists outnumbered the Fascists ;)
Q. "Anyone who opposes extremist Islam is a fascist in your eyes"?
A. Wrong! I have no problem with anti-Islamist groups like British Muslims for Secular Democracy, The Centre for Social Cohesion, Southall Black Sisters, Women Against Fundamentalism, Al-Fatiha (LGBT Muslim group), the entire Barevli, Sufi (Shia and Sunni), Bahai, Ahmadiyya and Alevi Muslim communities, and many other groups which oppose extremist Islam, but I do have a problem with groups like the ED that are (formally or informally) allied to or inspired by the BNP, as BNP chairman Nick Griffin SUPPORTED extremist Islam when it was convenient for him (now do fuck off Jeff)
Photo; ENA Nazi Salute in Brighton
Kelvin
kelvin the frozen pea
01.09.2010 16:38
Please - I'd rather pluck my own eyes out.
Seriously, Which group(s) can a white person with short hair and tattoos join if they are opposed to the bad side of Islam without being called a racist / nazi ?
There arn't any, because people jump to conclusions based upon a person's skin colour.
toby
antifa
01.09.2010 17:34
well, antifa works for me. nobody called me a Nazi while we were running the fash out of town. islamists can fuck off and all, except there isn't any public islamist presence in Brighton to oppose.
a white person with a shaved head and tattoos
Socialist Worker Party state agaents tried to get Asian & Somali youth arrested.
01.09.2010 18:43
All anti fascists should wake up to the fact that the SWP and UAF leaders pay themselves wages from SWP and UAF funds. They live off of the money donated to fight racism. This money does not go towards protecting communities in any useful way or to repair damage done during race riots and attacks. The EDL smashed up a Hindu Temple in Dudley. Did the UAF offer a donation to the Temple? What do you think...
The UAF thrive from racism. Wherever real anti fascist groups exist the UAF try anything to stop these groups. They have handed over Antifa and anarchist protestors to the police. They have attempted take overs, they smear and lie about antifascist groups and when none of this works they apply old fashioned bully boy tactics and threats. The UAF showed their true colours in Brighton yet again.
anon
Short hair and tattoos
03.09.2010 14:40
Well, all of the mainstream political parties oppose the bad side of Islam, so you could always join them; but, either way, are you talking about being judged because of your skin colour or about being judged because you've got short hair and tattoos? Make your mind up.
Anyway - Solution? Wear long sleeves and a hat. Sorted!
Well done Brighton
Contradiction
ENA salute photo above
03.09.2010 16:28
If you took it or know who did please email us at
Thank you
Ben Parsons
The Argus
e-mail:
ben.parsons@theargus.co.uk
posting incorrect address details
03.09.2010 18:30
:)
:)
Bill Baker says murder Muslims + Socialists + Bill Baker's current address
29.09.2010 15:09
Bill Baker
Cladking UK
5 Vicarage Close
Canvey Island
Essex SS8 0LY
Phone 01268 515599
Mobile 07592 867712
This address is DEFINITELY correct because the website for his business confirms the managing director's name is Bill Baker, the receptionist's name is Lyn (who Bill Baker referred to on EDL / ENA Facebook posts), and because the website (for his roofing business!) is full of Nationalist material...
Again whois.domaintools.com/cladkinguk.net gives the following info...
Registrant:
William Baker
5 Vicarage Close
Canvey Island
Essex SS8 0LY
Bright n' Early
EDL throwing a Nazi salute in Brighton
29.09.2010 15:43
Brighton Belle